You're a new teacher and you want to succeed. How can you find a mentor who will help you grow?

1 Identify your goals and needs

Before you start looking for a mentor, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and what you need help with. Do you want to improve your classroom management, curriculum design, assessment, or differentiation? Do you need advice on how to deal with difficult students, parents, or colleagues? Do you want to explore new opportunities or career paths? Write down your goals and needs, and prioritize them according to your urgency and interest.

2 Research your options

Once you have your goals and needs in mind, you can start researching your options for finding a mentor. You can look within your school, district, or network, or you can look outside of your immediate context. You can ask your colleagues, supervisors, or friends for recommendations, or you can use online platforms, such as Edutopia, Teach for America, or Teach Plus, to find mentors who match your profile and preferences. You can also join professional associations, attend conferences, or enroll in courses or programs that offer mentoring opportunities.

4 Establish and maintain the relationship

Once you have found a mentor who agrees to work with you, you need to establish and maintain the relationship. You need to set clear and realistic goals, expectations, and boundaries with your mentor, and agree on how often and how long you will meet, what format and tools you will use, and what topics and tasks you will focus on. You also need to be prepared, punctual, and proactive in your meetings, and follow up with your mentor regularly. You need to be open, honest, and respectful with your mentor, and accept their feedback and guidance. You also need to celebrate your achievements, acknowledge your challenges, and reflect on your progress.

5 Evaluate and adjust

Finally, you need to evaluate and adjust your mentoring relationship as you go along. You need to check in with your mentor periodically, and ask for their feedback on how the relationship is working, what is going well, and what can be improved. You also need to give your feedback to your mentor, and express your appreciation and concerns. You need to monitor your goals and needs, and see if they have changed or evolved over time. You need to be flexible and adaptable, and be willing to make changes or modifications to your mentoring plan if needed.

Finding a mentor who will help you grow as a teacher is not easy, but it is worth the effort. A mentor can provide you with valuable insights, support, and opportunities that can enhance your professional development and satisfaction. By following these tips, you can find a mentor who will help you succeed as a new teacher.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?